by Rachel Pope
Marketing Work Study

When I was thinking about attending college, like most young adults, it was overwhelming. I had no idea where I wanted to go, was uncertain what I wanted to do, and frankly the cost of going to a four-year university overwhelmed me.

Being a homeschool student brought me so much more additional stress than the traditional student. I knew going in that I didn’t have any scholarships from high school, no extracurricular activities, and no actual proof of me actually being student.

Most homeschool students understand these struggles. I got many tips from fellow homeschoolers, but none seemed to fit what I wanted to pursue. I was told by various counselors from various universities that it was going to be nearly impossible for me to get admitted to a University due to the fact that I didn’t have a transcript from a public/private school. However, Ivy Tech Community College opened many doors that no other university could have.

Not only were the advisors happy with my homeschool transcript, but they were impressed. They believed that with me being homeschooled, it showed what great work ethic I had. As a sophomore in high school, I began to take dual credit classes. These classes not only fulfilled some of my high school credits, but they also counted toward my college degree.

For many homeschool students, getting a GED (or some other equivalent) is their only option in order to get admitted to a university. I knew that I did my school work and got good grades, therefore I saw no point in taking the GED. Luckily, Ivy Tech Community College opened me with open arms, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Without having any scholarship money from high school, price was also a factor that frightened me. Ivy Tech is so affordable, and I promise you, you get so much more then what you pay for. The professors are top notch and there are many campuses across Indiana. Also, the class’s sizes are small, which allows for a lot of individual help.

Being homeschooled, it would have been a huge transition from being in a class by myself, to being in a class with hundreds of students. With Ivy Tech’s small classes, it made it possible for me to go to college. I knew that going to a big university just wasn’t for me, and Ivy Tech made all my worries about just being a number disappear.

Not to mention, Ivy Tech credits transfer to a various amount of four year universities. I saw myself getting bachelor’s degree, and without Ivy Tech, it wouldn’t have been possible for me. I plan on attending IUPUI after I graduate from Ivy Tech with a degree in Business Administration.

I would strongly suggest anyone, homeschooled or not, to attend Ivy Tech Community College. Ivy Tech opened so many doors for me and allowed me to get ahead of many of my peers. They gave me confidence in material that I needed to continue my education, and allowed me to prove to myself and other universities that not only did I know the material but I strive in the field I chose.

I couldn’t have asked for a better university, or better professors in the last two years of attending Ivy Tech. If you haven’t already, check out Ivy Tech Community College. I promise you that you won’t regret it.